What happened?
Union Minister of State for External Affairs and Textiles, Shri Pabitra Margherita, is visiting Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on April 18–19 to attend the Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA) Fair. The visit is part of the ASEAN-India Tourism Professionals Exchange Programme 2025, organised under the ASEAN-India Fund in collaboration with the Assam Tourism Development Corporation. The initiative highlights India’s tourism offerings, especially from the North-East region.
Why it matters to India
The visit strengthens India’s tourism diplomacy in Southeast Asia, aligned with the ASEAN-India Year of Tourism 2025. By spotlighting North-East India at a major regional travel forum, New Delhi aims to boost inbound tourism, promote cultural exchange, and foster business-to-business partnerships. The delegation’s engagement with Malaysian industry leaders and the Indian diaspora further reinforces bilateral ties and economic cooperation under India’s Act East policy.